The Sun. — London, England, 1818-03-30 00:00:00

TFIE COLONIES. COLONIAL INTERCOURSE 'IN AMER/CAN. vEssEris. FOR THE SUN. Me. EntToa,—l observe you are, apprised that a Bill is now before Paella:nem to a llow American and other foreign vessels a free intercourse with Cie Provinces of Nova Scotia and New l;runs• wick, not only to export the produce of these Colonies, but also whatever may have been legally it»noried into them, to Europe - and to all other Countries'in amity with 'the King; It is not evi dent for what purpose this Bill has been submitted to Parliament ; unless it is meant as the PRE CLIXSOR of an abandonment of the Colonial Sys tem to the United States. It Itas not been called for by any of the• British Colonies, and no docu ment can be shewn to warrant that assumption, except that a wish some time since was expressed that fruit and seeds might be permitted to be im ported into the King's North American Colonies . from the United States in British . Bottoms, in addition to the articles usually allorted tinder the Governor's Proclamations. But to have founded a Bill of such an extensive nature as the one now before Parliament on that suggestion, leads the Public to conclude that there is really an inten tion to give up the good ohl policy olthe country, and to grant to Foreigners a free intercourse in their own vessels with the King's Dependencies. For can the Government consistently refuse to extend to all the West In:lia Islands the provisions of this Bill, if, it passes into a Law as it now stands ? The Public, however, must always bear in mind that no application from the King's American Colonies has been Made for it. Its effect upon them will be a depression of their agriculture ; Site ruin of their fisheries ; the anniiiikition of their coasting trade; and a complete drain of all the specie they possess. And for what ? No one Can find ont, except it be to allow the Americans to take Gypsum in their own vessels, which is an indispensihie wide with them, and to inundate the British Provinces with contraband goods, to the destruction of the export of British Manufactures But, Sir, the Bill is further inju rious, nay, indeed---but I will not give way to the expres3ion of my feelings upon it---it is lite rally .to allow, iu the words of the old adage, Coals to he cam►d to Newcastle;"—for in- FROM HOME-. stance, it is to.permit American vessels to import into Nova- Scotia and New - Brunswick articles which these Provinces, with the Canadas, are an 7 exporting, of their own growth, in upwards of 1100 sail of British ships, and which can be int:teased to any extent, if there was a demand for th , irt. The articles referred to are " scant- Bugs, planks, staves, heading-boards, shingies, hoops, or spare timber of any sort." The few articles of naval stores, such as pitch, tar, &c. are introduced into the 13ill to destroy any appear ance of novelty in its general features, for it goes far beyond the Bermuda and other West India Thee Port Acts, and practical men think the framers of it are not at this moment aware of its extensive application. The other articles in its first clause arc provisions, which may be imported in times of necessity under an existing statute, which,"of course, as to these articles, negatives in Coto the expediency of the present measure. The real object of the •Bill is to be found in its fourth clause, which virtually repeals all the existing restrictive Laws as to the Trade from Nova Scotia and New Bs unswick, and permits foreign, as well as British vessels, to trade from thence to the South or North of Continental Europe, and all other foreign Countries. It even goes the, length to allow a Trade from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to the foreign Settlements in the East Indies, though British North America is excluded all intercourse with the British Territories in that quarter. Now really, why such a measure should have been introduced without any solicita t,iun front the British Colonies in America, it is impossible to conceive. Even the Merchants lii this Country, connected with these Provinces, knew nothing of it until the Bill was in the House of Commons ; but in order that the Trading la terests may understand the nature of this Bill, the fourth and most material Section of it is given verbatim,. and it is as follows : "'And be it further enacted, 'fat it shall and may be lawful in any British ship or veitel, or in any ship or vessel belonging to the subjectr'pf al!Sovereign or State in anat." Kith his Majesty, to export from the said Ports so to be ap pointed far that purpose, to any Country belonging to any Sovereign or' State , in entity with his Allajesty, any Gypsom, Grindstones, or other produet ur manufacture of the said Provinces, and .also any produce or manufacture of the United Kingdom, or of his Majesty's Colonies Of Plantations in the %Vest Indies,' or any goods whatever which shall have been legally imported into the said Provinces; any thing in any law to the , contrary notwithstanding." Under this clause, foreign vessels may carry fi gat these two Provinces FM!, or any other ar- tide legally imported, not excepting prize goods, to any foreign country in amity with the King: At present the trade from thence to the South of Cape Finisterre is confined to Barrlsn Shipping, but why it is to he extended to foreign vessels re f. • - ; mants to he explained. -To - the North of CapeFi nisterre, they cannot at present trade, even in British Shipping, and therefore, without any ostensible cause or necessity for it, that such a measure should have originated with the present Administration has excited great surprise in the Mercantile circles ; unless the Noble Lord at the head of - the Foreign Office has it in contempla tion, at the next meeting of the Sovereigns at Frankfort, (where the foreign Newspapers re present a new system of genera l commerce is - to be established) to give up the great bulwarks and sate-guards of the country, and to rely for its de fence on the Military force of the Kingdom, and not on its Navy. For without a strict adherence to the Navigation System, it is impossible to maintain the latter, and it foreign vessels are to be allowed a free intercourse wi , h every part of his Majesty's Dependencies, it will be in vain for British Shipowners to attempt to compete with them. Many other objections could be offered to this unfortunate measure, even with reference to the revenue ; but I will riot pursue it further at present than to ask this question :—Why should not the provisions of.this 13111 be extended to all the West India Islands, and foreign • vessels be allowed to take West India produce direct from the West India Islands to any country in amity with the King, whether in Europe or elsewhere At present the West India Islands are restricted in their trade.altogether to British Ships, and the only direct intercourse they have with Continental Europe is confined to Gibraltar and Malta. This Bill recites " that great advantages' re sulted to the said Colonies from the facilities given to the trade thereof by the said Acts :" that is hy tire 47th of the King, &e. Yet,, however strange it may appear, this Statute was never acted upon until it had expired For the order nominating the Ports from which this new trade was intended to have been carried on in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, did not appe;rr Until the Act, which was a temporary one, had ceased to•exist ! Therefore no advantages could have been derived from it. To sinew the inconsistency in the views of the Government respecting the trade of the King'S American Colonies it is only necessary to observe, that it is not a year since an order was sent out to Canada to prohibit the importation into that Province, by the interior cvmmonication, of articles from the United States, although those articles ‘votdd have been brought to England from the Saint Lawrence in British Ships. • Again„ in 1816, two Acts of the Legislatures of, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were passed regulating the Export of Gypsum, which were to he in force for five years ; and these Acts were sanctioned by his. Majcsty i n C ounc il ; yet t h e foarth section of the present Bill goes to legalise a trade in Gypsum -in American vessels, in con travention of the t‘vo Provincial Statutes, and even whilst an Act passed lost year by the American Congress, prohibiting the importation of this article in British vessels'into the United States, is still in force. I am afraid,. Sir, I a m occupying too large a space of your valuable Paper, and therefore shall conclude ; but, with your permission, I shall re- some my correspondence, with a view to induce the Public - to a calm and dispassionate considera tion of the political relations between Great Bri fa h, and the United States, which it is too mud the in the Metropolitan Journals, to dis rem present. Liverpool, March 26, 1818. MERCATOR. THEAT-RICAL REGISTER. • Pesfornerd on Saturday Night. THEATRE ROYAL, P4URY , LANE.-(fourth time), Rob Roy, the Gregarach Roo Roy Macgregor, Mr. H. Johnston ; Hilen Nt:hcgregor, Mrs. Glover. After which, What Next? THE.;TPE Ro CoveNr-CA ttn6l.—(seventh time), Rob Roy Macgregor; Francis Osbaldistone, Mr. Sinclair ; Diana Vernon, Miss Stephens., After which, Lowe, Law, and Physic. Anntven—l Dublin, 4 Waterford, t Guernsey and Jersey, I Holland, 2 France, 4 Hauiburgh, I Flanders. DuL—i Gottenburgb, 1 Lisbon. PRICE OF S'I'OCKS nAY AT rvELVE 3 per Cent. C0n5........78M I Ex. Bills, 2 d,.173. 1 , 25. 133. pr, 3 per Cent. N. 105 i 10ti I Ditto, 2id. l4s. 16i, pr India Bonds.-- 81s. 83s. pr. I Cons-for Account 780 Average Price of Brown or Muscovado Sugar, computed from the Returns made in the Week ending the 25th day-of March, is 525. 21d. per cwt. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE TO=MORROW. Morning, 52 minutes after 9. Evening, 17 minutes after 10 THE SUN. SOLEM QUIS DICERE FALSUM AUDEAT LONDON, MONDAY, MAR C!! 30, 1818. • We receiveil yesterday the Paris Papers of Wed nesday and Thursday last. Those of Friday, which were due this morning, have not come to band. • The Chamber ot Peers assembled on Tuesday, when on the discussion of the Resolution passed by the Chamber of Deputies, for granting further time to the Emigrants for the payment ot their debts, en amenilment was moved and carried fur prolonging the period till the Ist January, 1820, and the Resolution was seat back to the Chan) , ber of Deputies for their concurrence in the amend ment. In the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday, the Baron de SAINT CRICQ, the Reporter of the Com mittee on the Customs Projet, was heard at con siderable length ; after which, speeches were also delivered by the Minister of Fiwunce, - and M. Mott- SAN DE BELLOY. The Committee then proceeded to deliberate upon the Articles of the Projet. A long discussion took place upon the first Article, two amendments having been moved ; one by M. DUVE.hGIER DE HAURANNE, for reducing the duty on Cotton Yarn one-hall; and the other by M . LAISNE DR LA VILLEVEQUE, for repealing the duty on Cotton Yarn imported into France from parts out of Europe in French ships. The Chamber ultimately decided against both amendments. On Wednesday they got through thirty Articles of the Projet. On that day also, the Baron DUFOUGE: RAIS reported f rom th e ComMittee on -the Projet for the abolition of the Slave Trade. The COM: mittee proposed the full and entire adoption of the Projet, with two slight amendments. The discussion of it was appointed to commence after disposing of the Customs Projet, which it was supposed would be on Friday last. We give extracts from the Journals in another column. An article from Madrid refers to the dispute between Spain and Portugal, and inti mates that in consequence of it a body of Spanish troops are still maintained on the frontiers of Por tugal ; but it, notwithstanding, anticipates an amicable adjustment of the differences. One of the convulsions of the earth, of which we have lately heard so much, has, it appears, done considerable damage in the neigbourhood of Mount Etna, where not only many houses were thrown down, but a number of individuals were killed. It seems to be certain that the Dey of . A Biers has fallen a victim to the Plague. FRENCH FIVE PER CENTS. Tuesday Wednesday .. The two Letters received this day from our Correspondent at Paris are in general interesting, but we shall make no comments on them till to- morrow. The Editor of The Leeds Mercury has favoured us with a copy of his Paper of Saturday last, and, no doubt, intended for our instruction, has marked a long paragraph, probably of his own writing, on the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons on the Poor Laws, and on e cruel treatment of persons arrested under the Habeas Corpus Suspension, who, poor souls ! merely aimed at the destruction of Government ; directing our attention likewise to two letters in e same day's Paper—one from the Brother the late THomas RILEY, and another signed BEN.. JAMIN WHITELY. The Editor's own paragraph seems to be nothing more than a transfer of hackneyed topics, we will not honour them with the Hanle of arguments, from the factious columns of The Horning Chronicle. The letter from ittLEr's Brother, of course, vindicates his memory, and asserts that he never uttered the words imputed to him, viz.: " if he was hung be was right served, as Lis conduct merited it." All we shall sty on this posthumous denial is, that we can sym pathize in tl►e feelings of a surviving brother, but that ‘g dead men tell no tales." As to the letter from BENJAMIN WHITELY, it consists chiefly of a panegyric on Mr. BENNET, M. P. We are content that Mr. BENNET should have such eulogists, but we shall be glad to find that be will not in future expose himself to their praise. The Trial of the gallant young Officers at Maid stone, of which we were the first to give the sub stance and result on Saturday la3t, and of which we insert a full report this day, ought particularly to attract the notice of Government.' It appears that Deal and its vicinity have long been supported by SMUGGLING, which has prevailed to such an alarming height as to render it dangerous in the extreme to attempt to seize. the offenders. The Prosecution was brought against the young Offi cers for a spirited execution of their duty, accord ing to the orders of their. Commander, Captain Nl‘CuLt.ocll, who has exerted Jiimself so effectually 'n protecting the Revenue, : and checking contra. , . band proceedings, that one of the inhabi tants told bins he had "starved the town, - an admission that it subsisfed upon SNUGGLING. The Defence of Mr. RoBiLtiARD was delivered with manly firmness by himself, and received the. approbation of the Judge. 'That .of Mr. ARGutrd- BAU was read by his Counsel. The circumstances attending this prosecution have excited a strong interest throughout the County of Kent and it is,-indeed, of general impOrtanCe to the Country 'at large, as relating to the ReVenue and the ho nour and safety of our galla n t Naval Defenders. What diminishes the Revenue must.increase the burthens on the people, and if our gallant Tars,' the chief bulwark of the Country, are to be pu nished for a due performance of their duty, that bulwark- will receive a fatal shock.— We shall say nothing respecting the conduct of THE PoLicE of Deal, as that steaks for itself, but as one of the Persons connected with it is said to be an agent of the East India Company, it be comes the. Directors at least to, ascertain with what zeal, ability, and rectitude, he attends to the interests of that respectable body, and those of the Empire at large, on the subject of the rig' venue. Her MAJESTY and the PRINCESSES arrived in town front Wind For this day, .and are e xpecte d to remain at Buckingham House till after the o• proaching Nuptials of the Princess ELIzABBI If and the Prince of HESSE Homiattao, which 0 expected to take place to-morrow se'nni g lit. • " They withdraw their troops, hut not their surveillanc e) all the smaller contingents go home, but the four great Powers keep each 15,000 men near the French frontiers, who in case of need will advance upon Paris., The English will b e in Belgium and Brussels, the Duke's bead-quartets. Th us ' at the least motion in France, 60,000 chosen men will unite at a certain point (Paris), and the Powers of the second ord er will have a reserve to support the operations of the g reat Powers. This Army of Observation will be paid for bi France, which will be a disadvantage, as the money will be. spent abroad, wh ereas w h at t h e F rench have hitherto paid mostly returns into the hands of Government by the indirect taxes." A Brussels Paper contains the following a rticle relative to a trial for libel against two English Littlies in that city : 13stossEts, MAttcrt 25.—A - cause which seems to excite great interest among the strangers, who arc in this.citY, " 6 , been heard this morning for the second time, before the C of° rectional Tribunal. Two English Ladies, one the- danglW 4 the other thegrand-daughter of the late Archbishop of Yel 4 hare indicted a Journalist for calumnies which they assert Of directed againt their honour. English of, the highest ea ° has 4 been heard as witnesses. M. JOVHAND is Counsel i s ' the two Ladie s; t h e P r i nter mid Editor are defec bi dedL' Messrs. LLROY and SAVI GNY. The Court is to pass seute" -- to-morrow." GENERAL ELEcTIoN.The symptoms of proximation towards a General Election are sible in various quarters ; in none, probA% more so than in th e County of Kent. S O T t i months since, a pil o t was dismissed, being.. charg d with improper conduct and the loss of a ship atn . , as lie has not been restored, we may prowl that he was deemed guilty. We, however, n i/ e that a Member for one of the Western Cing. ( :b . Ports is now using every exertion possible IT., an East India Shipowner, in order to get 1 ,, j1 ,1 Pilot re-instated... For the sake of the trade th 'j navigation of the country, and the consistenc - y o that respectable Court—the COurt of 1.003 AAA NAG-E—vre tru s t th at f u ll i nqu i ry will b e Mad and that this man, if really guilty, will not be re.. stored, but held out as an example and war° in g to all others of his station. NEWCkSTLE-UNDER-LINE.—ThiS Borough •ill be severely contested. The Candidates are S ir JOHN HOUGHEY, Sir JOHN CHETWODE, Mr. K,11"2; NERSLET, and Mr. W ILMOT , t h e l atter a file" of Mr. CANNING. Mr. PEARSON, it stems, does not intend to offer. What are the sentiments © f Mr. KINNERSLESY . and Mr. WILMOT OR the C a ' tholic Question we do - not know, but the Pro: testant Aseendeocy. never had two more firm en° consistent supporters than the present Members fog this loyal town. The PRINCE REGENT has had a slight attack of e gout in his knee within these few days , t but we are happy t o say , - yester d ay hi s R o y a l Ellg i a; ness was better, an d i t b a d every appear.3l)Ce o f passing off without coming to a regular fit- Private lette r s f rom I ta l y announce , that her 11 ; a Royal Highn ess t h e P r i ncess of W ALES is ' very declining st a t e o f hea4th. Her illness liter- bet been caused by excess i ve grief .for the loss o f Royal daughter, the belov e d a n d l a mented cessCHARLo TTE O f W ALES. Preparations are now ma ki ng for t h e Marl gag of the Duke o f C LARENCE. The establiahmein- o f A his Royal Hi g h ness is a b out to be increa se`!' separate house i s to b e taken, and an esta" • meat formed for the Misses FrrzctattEts:" . Prepa re The greate st exert i ons are making to Pr e f . .... the Royal yachts to be in readiness for sai ii h l r A-great nu m b er o f men are employed (1 13 a :It quit now lying in the basin in the Dock-Y a; ,, Deptford ; in fact, as. many men as can work board of her.• She is ordered to be in readT o f 'for saili n g b y t h e 9th of April ; but tot' w hich the Royal 'Family it is not known. 11 ,Prince ESTERHA4Y, accompanied by - or , leaVes town to- morrow for Ger M a n; fOr the ex p res i purpose of b r i ng i ng ov er i -T o Princess hiS w if e. Hi s E xce ll ency L or d S T sw4 B ,will,te ma i ni a t t h e C ourt o f Vi enna . The Duke of WELLINGTON is expected in Pc land in the present week. • Arc On Saturd a y'Count INIUNISTIta had an na af i ofJhe,PEINCE REGENT at Carbon HOuse- et* Yesterday the Prince of HESSE HONISI3 OI tended b i y Baron O'NAGHTEN, .rode- in th e , so gent's Park. In the evening the Baron Ga ll o - La and Baron KRAHN, the two Delegates front .".• tor burgh, and Mr.• LANGsDOEFF, Charge d'Alfa ir i e- i is Batl9,.and Hesse-Darmstadt, dined w iti) , s l s. Serene Highness at his apartments in St. Ja PI ; t o ein . Thursday ViSCoUnt CASTLEREAGH catit - i o d town: from his seat at North Cray, Kent, an ( (. l .,'- r l.• a long audience of the PRINCE REGENT at to ton House. Th e N o bl e Vi scount then well"se. his bake, and gave directions to the Under cretary of State to make up dispatches for r ","il - r. and Spain. O n Friday Mr. RoBINsoN an" ' o ff PEGLER, th e King's Messeng ers , were sent with them, the former to Russia, and the i st er to Spain. BEE4GH OF THE SABBATH.—:Yesterday or L r ",, in;;, a littl e b e f ore 10 o ' clock, whilst t h e Ab b e y crowdOells w o e f r ringing gjog personsin for Were e following orniti round Morning o e u rvi ( ce S : ' James's P ar k a M an, running a race for a wag e ' without any a tt empt o f the Under Park K ee ,P ers sa or the Police O ffi cers to disperse them. 'b le , foot rac e s occur so f requently on a Sun d ay , tha w e hope the Ranger of the Park will give l'"%i so directions to p revent t h e i r repet i t i on ; .an" also the colle c ti on o f idl e an d disorder l y childre, the Bridge over the Canal, and near Story's 6n , 5' • A MailfromFlanderscame toliand last night. An article from Ghent of the 23d inst. states the 10 1 ; lowing to be the conditions upon w hi c h t h e Allied Powers consent to evacuate the French territory: 41, 1. 441 41. to tti i t , a , ti„ it j